Lee's free throws save Mishawaka

February 08, 2008|FORREST MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Cortez Lee is only a sophomore, but may never score two more important points than he did Thursday night. "Maybe a sectional or conference championship would be better,'' Lee said after his two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining in overtime gave Mishawaka a 48-47 Northern Indiana Conference basketball victory over Penn. Lee was fouled on a drive to the basket and his team behind, 47-46. His first attempt took a lap around the inside of the rim, and the second clanged around a couple of times, but both dropped through the net. The two points were his only ones of the game. Penn's Tommy Kurth had a good look at a game-winning shot at the final buzzer, but it was a bit short. "Cortez is a kid with a lot of heart and a lot of guts,'' said Mishawaka coach Robb Berger. "We competed hard for 36 minutes and found a way to win.'' Mishawaka's Heatherly brothers combined for 33 points -- Steve had 19 and Kyle 14. It was a 3-point shot by Steve from the right corner with 27 seconds left in regulation that tied the game at 43. Mishawaka had a 10-point halftime lead, 28-18. The Kingsmen fought back to tie the score at 33 on a layup by John Green with 1:08 to play in the third quarter. Three times in the fourth period Penn led by three, and twice had the lead in overtime. Ryan Choiniere scored 16 of his 20 points for Penn in the second half and overtime. Several times the Kingsmen worked the clock for a while until Choiniere was free for a short baseline drive and layup. Penn coach Dean Foster looked back to his steam's four-point second quarter as costly. "We had nine possessions and scored only two baskets,'' noted Foster. Only 17 fouls were called all evening. Mishawaka awaits a visit from second-ranked Carmel Saturday. The JV game will begin at noon. PENN (47): Ryan Choiniere 9 2-4 20, John Green 2 0-0 4, Tommy Kurth 3 2-2 8, Pat Hess 2 3-3 7, Chris Chaffee 2 0-0 6, Matt Price 0 0-0 0, Tyler Laidig 0 0-0 0, Alex Marsh 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 19 7-9 47 MISHAWAKA (48): Steven Heatherly 7 1-1 19, Cortez Lee 0 2-2 2, Kyle Heatherly 6 1-2 14, Marc Winphrie 4 0-0 8, Nick Banke 0 0-0 0, Ryan Warmoth 0 0-0 0, Javonte Young 2 0-0 5. TOTALS: 19 4-5 48. Penn1418334347Mishawaka13283543483-point goals: Penn 2 (Chaffee 2), Mishawaka 6 (S. Heatherly 4, K. Heatherly, Young). Total fouls (fouled out): Penn 8 (none), Mishawaka 9 (none). Shooting: Penn 19 of 37 for 51 percent, Mishawaka 19 of 45 for 42 percent. Turnovers: Penn 13, Mishawaka 10. JV score: Penn 31 (Nate Wood 9), Mishawaka 23 (B.J. Vanderswaag 6). Varsity records: Penn 10-7 (2-4 NIC), Mishawaka 8-8 (2-4 NIC). Officials: Chuck Harville, Phil Mulroe, Mike Mendoza. Staff writer Forrest Miller: wmiller@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6315